The Mechanism of Ice Crystal Growth and the Theory of Evolution

by
Larry Vardiman, Ph.D.

Presented at the Second International Conference on Creationism, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, July 30–August 4, 1990. Published in: Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Creationism, R. E. Walsh & C.L. Brooks (Eds.), pp. 303–314, 1990.

Abstract

Ice crystal growth has been cited as an example of how evolution creates greater order. The modern explanation of ice crystal shape is described. The second law of thermodynamics is developed in terms of entropy change and applied to ice crystal growth. The difference between the operation of thermodynamic systems and their origin is discussed. It is concluded that ice crystal growth is similar to the operation of life processes but does not support the origin of life as described by the theory of evolution.